Footprints in the Sand Poem
Footprints in the Sand is a very special poem for Christians. Many believers are even convinced that the poem is a Bible scripture. This fact speaks to the emotional and spiritual impact that this epic writing has had over the years.
FACT: Footprints in the Sand is not a Bible verse. It is a poem written by Mary Fishback Powers that dates back to 1936. However, it’s impact is undeniable because it speaks to the Christian walk with God.
Although many Christians think that the poem refers to the footprints of Jesus Christ, it is actually a reference to the footprints of almighty God.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”
Written by Mary Fishback Powers
Footprints in the Sand Meaning
The Footprints in the Sand prayer holds a special significance to so many Christians because it speaks directly to our special relationship with a loving and caring God. Believing in God doesn’t mean that we won’t experience hardship and pain, but God promises us in scripture that he will be with us in hard times and he will carry us through our difficulties.
Truthfully, hard times are apart of life for everyone. Even the richest people still experience problems that money can’t solve. Sometimes we need God to walk alongside us in our difficulties. Other times, we need God to carry us when we have no spiritual strength. This is precisely why Pastor Rick Warren told us:
“Happy moments, PRAISE GOD
Pastor Rick Warren
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD
Painful moments, TRUST GOD
Every moment, THANK GOD”
When times are hard and we turn around to look at our footprints in the sand, we might only see one set of footprints. But, as the poem points out, seeing only one set of footprints in our spiritual vision is not a bad thing. It is in fact reassurance that God has been with us through it all.
Hebrews 13:4-6 tells us that no matter what we experience in life, God will never leave us and He is always by our side.
The most impactful line in the poem is when God says “When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” These words carry so much power that the believer’s faith is increased just by reading them.
Deuteronomy 1:31 says “There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
This Bible verse shares the sentiment of the Footprints in the Sand poem. When we feel like our spiritual tank is empty and we can’t go on, we can rest with assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us. God will carry us through all of our problems.
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